Cruises: Expert hopeful for 'July' return of holidays

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Cruise holidays have been off the table for months on end and many Britons are champing at the bit to get sailing once again. Cruise lines have all had to repeatedly alter their dates for when ships will return to the river and oceans of the world. These are the latest updates for P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Marella Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Saga Cruises and Virgin Voyages.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises has cancelled international cruises throughout the summer as it focusses on domestic sailings.

Cruises onboard Arcadia, Aurora, Azura and Ventura have been axed until the end of August 2021, cruises onboard Iona are cancelled until September 19, 2021, and cruises onboard Britannia are suspended until September 24, 2021.

In lieu of these, P&O Cruises has launched an array of UK itineraries for the summer.

Britannia will offer three and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday running from June 27, 2021, through to September 19, 2021.

Iona offers seven-night itineraries running from August 7, 2021, to September 18, 2021. Prices start from £449 per person for a three-night break on Britannia. Iona’s seven-night maiden voyage starts from £1,199 per person.

However, Britons will only be allowed to board if they can provide evidence they have received both doses of their coronavirus vaccination. Travel insurance will also be mandatory for all guests.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruises are now cancelled until May 31.

The company posted on Twitter last month: “Carnival Cruise Line will today be extending our pause in operations from U.S. ports through May 31, 2021.

“We continue to work on plans to resume operations and are encouraged by the focus to expedite vaccine production and distribution which are having a demonstrated impact on improving public health.

“If your cruise has been impacted, you will receive an email today with your options.”

Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group has pushed back the restart of its brands’ cruises until May 31 at the earliest.

The suspension of sailings includes all cruises on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

The earliest restart for these lines is now May 31, 2021.

Furthermore, sailings onboard Azamara have been pushed back to June 30.

However, there are some exceptions: Sailings onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas resumed sailing in Singapore last year.

Meanwhile, sailings on Spectrum of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, departing from China, are due to resume from April 30.

Furthermore, two new cruises onboard Odyssey of the Seas setting sail from Israel, destined for Greece and Cyprus, are due to depart on June 2.

Sadly for UK cruise lovers, the Israel sailings are only for residents of the country.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has cancelled sailings from Southampton on Sky Princess, Regal Princess and Island Princess through September 25, 2021, and will launch a series of short UK cruises departing in late summer.

All global cruises until May 14, 2021, are cancelled as are all cruises longer than seven days going to or from a US port.

Cruise holidays from Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale and Rome have also been cancelled through June 30, 2021, and cruises from Seattle are cancelled until June 27, 2021.

Norwegian Cruise Line

All Norwegian Cruise Line cruises up to and including June 30, 2021, are cancelled.

NCL has also temporarily halted the acceptance of bookings for their 2021 Alaska season.

MSC Cruises

“MSC Cruises UK & Ireland has taken the decision to cancel the majority of our sailings until May 31 2021, for our UK and Irish guests only,” the cruise line said in its latest statement.

Those affected have been contacted directly or through their travel agent.

Marella Cruises

“Due to the ongoing uncertainty around travel restrictions, Marella Cruises has extended its pause in operations up to and including June 30, 2021,” said TUI.

“We’re proactively contacting impacted customers from March 11 to discuss their options, which will include amending to another holiday for free with an incentive or cancelling and receiving a full refund.”

Disney Cruise Line

All cruises onboard Disney Fantasy, Disney Wonder and Disney Dream have been cancelled through May 2021.

Cruises onboard Disney Magic have been cancelled up to and including August 10, 2021.

Saga Cruises

Saga has cancelled all cruise voyages until June 27.

The travel company will also delay the first voyage of its new cruise ship, Spirit of Adventure, until July 26.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages cruises are cancelled through June 30, 2021.

Last week, the cruise line unveiled its third ‘lady ship’, which will be named Resilient Lady and is scheduled for completion on July 1, 2022.

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